11 Worst Skin Care Serums

Hoping for an anti-aging miracle? You won't find it with these products

No. 1: PCA Skin pHaze 13 Pigment Gel, $33.75 TotalBeauty.com average reader rating: 3.4*
Why: Not only do readers say this has "a bad smell," but it also "did not improve my hyperpigmentation at all." One reader explains: "I consistently used this product twice a day as suggested for about half a year. Two bottles later, this gel did not reduce a lick of hyperpigmentation or discoloration. I have not one positive thing to say about this product, and it is not helped by the fact that it is pricey. Overall, the amount of hydroquinone (2 percent) in this is far too weak to yield results."

I definitely agree that there is a big hit or miss factor depending on your individual skin type to find what will or wont work. The bottom line is, you can't stop the aging process. While I admit that I am on the never ending search for the latest greatest remedy for freckles and dark spots, I have to keep convincing myself that it's probably not going to be found in a facial cream or serum. Maybe a laser treatment or chemical peel. Meanwhile, I will probably keep trying new things until I find something that I am satisfied with. For now, you have given me a list of the "what not to waste your money on" and for that I am grateful!

While its a hit or miss with serums and other skin care products you can buy at a drug store its unfortunate when you don't see results with them because then your out of your money. But with most cosmetic products you buy at major department stores, weather its skincare or makeup, most major stores offer a full refund on products as long as about half or a little under half of the product is still there. Just make sure you save your receipt or remember what card you used to pay with so the sales associate can look it up for you. No matter what the beauty consultant says they do accept returns! Also if you are buying the product ask if they can make you a smaller sample so you can try it first before you open the package so you can test to see how it reacts with your skin. Taking advantage of free gifts with purchases at higher end counters is another great way to try products so you don't run into spending money on serums or other skin care products that are all talk and no action.

It's a very slippery slope when it comes to believing and hoping after you spent half your salary on a cream that you will see results-in my opinion(I am a true cream queen)trial and error is very costly so I read as many reviews(on-line) as possible before I buy and have basically been pretty lucky-I have found retinA prescription or none prescription to be a very large part in aiding many skin problems-to me it's the holy grail of creams and I also use other creams on top and sunscreen. Exfoliation is a big key in the battle to maintain a youthful face.